Goalieguard protective ice hockey pants

ABSTRACT

A garment for lower body protection during heavy contact sporting competition is provided, the garment a garment encasing a lower body of a user from waist level to ankle level and constructed of material comprising about 87% polyester, 8% fiberglass, and 5% spandex. The garment promotes protection from sharp edges is worn below padding and uniform. The material is directed to protection of a user from cut and slash injury from ice skates and protects the femoral artery, otherwise vulnerable to injury.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is in the field of sporting goods equipment. More particularly, the present disclosure provides pants worn by ice hockey players, the pants made of material that may protect against cut and slash injuries.

BACKGROUND

Ice hockey is a violent and dangerous game in which serious injuries can occur. Skates of professional hockey players are often sharpened several times during games. When collisions of players occur, skates often cut exposed skin of players, with bloody consequences.

Hockey goaltenders are particularly vulnerable as violent collisions occur near them and often involve them. Goaltenders are vulnerable as their lower bodies are often exposed during such collisions as they are crouching very low or lunging into a scrum to complete a play while teammates and opponents are simultaneously falling near or on them. Coaches, trainers, and team executives therefore seek equipment that reduces the risk of serious injury.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of cut resistant pants for full lower body protection in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of cut resistant pants for full lower body protection in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of cut resistant pants for full lower body protection in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a front view of cut resistant pants for rear lower body protection in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a side view of cut resistant pants for rear lower body protection in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of cut resistant pants for rear lower body protection in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a front view of cut resistant pants for half front and full rear lower body protection in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is another front view of cut resistant pants for half front and full rear lower body protection in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a side view of cut resistant pants for half front and full rear lower body protection in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a rear view of cut resistant pants for half front and full rear lower body protection in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods described herein provide cut resistant pants for use in ice hockey and other violent sports. Such pants may be provided with material for full lower body protection, for lower body protection of the rear of the user, and for protection of a half front of the user and full rear.

The material providing this protection comprises about 87% polyester, 8% fiberglass, and 5% spandex. The material may be commercially referred to in the US and Canada as Cut-Tuff™. The Cut-Tuff™ material is used on the upper front to include protection of the femoral artery between the legs as well as the entire rear.

The garment may protect the femoral artery which is vulnerable to cut and slash injury that may be caused by ice skates or sharpened or broken hockey sticks. Worn below the outer uniform and padding, the garment provides protection that may otherwise not be available.

The garment, which may be referred to commercially as Goalieguard™ pants, is lightweight and soft to the touch. The pants are fully lined with a 100% polyester mesh to feel more comfortable and breathable against the skin when sweating. The pants are fully Latex free and provide moisture wicking. The garment is machine washable up to 40° Celsius (do not bleach) and should be hanger dried (do not tumble dry) and ironed on low.

In embodiments, the garment may not be used in ice hockey implementations. In embodiments, the garment may be used in other sporting applications such as in lacrosse, rock climbing, and surfing and diving among dangerous rock formations.

The garment has been extensively tested with ANSI 105-2016 and applicable certification environment. Results of testing are as follows:

-   -   Cut Resistance (ASTM F2992)—Level A4     -   Puncture Resistance (EN 388:2003)—Level 2     -   Abrasion Resistance (ASTM D3884/ASTM D38890—Level 3

Turning to the figures, FIG. 1 is a front view of cut resistant pants of the present disclosure for full lower body protection. The user's full body below the waistline is protected by the material. FIG. 2 is a side view of such pants for full lower body protection and FIG. 3 is a rear view of the garment for full lower body protection.

FIG. 4 is a front view of cut resistant pants of the present disclosure for rear lower body protection wherein the user's backside is provided protection as described herein. FIG. 5 is a side view of such backside protection and FIG. 6 is a rear view of such protection.

FIG. 7 is a front view of cut resistant pants for half of the user's front to the mid-thigh as well as full protection for the rear lower body. FIG. 8 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 7 of cut resistant pants for half of the user's front to the mid-thigh as well as full protection for the rear lower body.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the garment providing such half front and full rear lower body protection. FIG. 10 is a rear view of the garment providing protection for the user's half front and full rear lower body protection. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A garment for lower body protection during heavy contact sporting competition, comprising: a garment encasing a lower body of a user from waist level to ankle level; the garment constructed of material comprising about 87% polyester, 8% fiberglass, and 5% spandex; the garment promoting protection from sharp edges; and the garment worn below padding and uniform.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the material is directed to protection of a user from cut and slash injury from ice skates.
 3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the material protects the femoral artery, otherwise vulnerable to injury.
 4. The garment of claim 1, wherein an interior lining of the garment is made from 100% polyester mesh.
 5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is 100% latex free.
 6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment meets testing standards for Cut Resistance (ASTM F2992)—Level A4
 7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment meets testing standards for Puncture Resistance (EN 388:2003)—Level 2
 8. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment meets testing standards for Abrasion Resistance (ASTM D3884/ASTM D38890—Level 3
 9. A system for protection during sporting competition, comprising: a lower body garment for protection from cut and slash injury; the garment comprising about 87% polyester, 8% fiberglass, and 5% spandex; the garment extending from waistline to ankle; and the garment worn below padding and uniform garment.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the garment protects the femoral artery, otherwise vulnerable to injury.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein an interior lining of the garment is made from 100% polyester mesh.
 12. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment meets testing standards for Cut Resistance (ASTM F2992)—Level A4.
 13. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment meets testing standards for Puncture Resistance (EN 388:2003)—Level
 2. 14. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment meets testing standards for Abrasion Resistance (ASTM D3884/ASTM D38890—Level
 3. 15. A failure resistant system for protection of participant body in violent sports, comprising: a lower body garment of material comprising about 87% polyester, 8% fiberglass, and 5% spandex; the garment resistant to cutting and slashing by sharp metal edges; the garment encasing legs, abdomen, groin, and buttocks; and the garment worn below athletic padding and uniform garment.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the garment protects the femoral artery, otherwise vulnerable to injury.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein an interior lining of the garment is made from 100% polyester mesh.
 18. The garment of claim 15, wherein the garment meets testing standards for Cut Resistance (ASTM F2992)—Level A4.
 19. The garment of claim 15, wherein the garment meets testing standards for Puncture Resistance (EN 388:2003)—Level
 2. 20. The garment of claim 15, wherein the garment meets testing standards for Abrasion Resistance (ASTM D3884/ASTM D38890—Level
 3. 